Ultrasound probe hanger and method for suspending a wireless ultrasound transducer within a chamber of an ultrasound transducer high-level disinfection (hld) system

ABSTRACT

An ultrasound probe hanger includes a stem, shoulders, arms, and a probe holder. The shoulders are arranged generally perpendicular to the stem and are connected to a proximal end of the stem. The arms are arranged generally parallel to each other and to the stem. The arms are connected at upper ends to outer shoulder ends of the shoulders. The probe holder includes outer side portions, a rear portion, a partially open front portion, and four protrusions. The outer side portions are each connected to lower ends of the arms. The rear portion extends between the outer side portions. The partially-open front portion includes outer front portions each extending from the outer side portions and defining a central front open portion. The four protrusions are arranged in a rectangle on an inside surface of the probe holder and are configured to suspend a wireless ultrasound probe within the probe holder.

FIELD

Certain embodiments relate to ultrasound transducer disinfection. Morespecifically, certain embodiments provide an ultrasound probe hangeroperable to suspend a wireless ultrasound transducer in a chamber of anultrasound transducer high-level disinfection (HLD) system during adisinfection cycle.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound transducer high-level disinfection (HLD) systems, such as theTROPHON EPR and TROPHON 2 by NANOSONICS, typically include an enclosurehaving a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a frontside, and a rear side. The front side may include an openable doorproviding access to a chamber within the enclosure. The top side mayinclude an opening having an attachment mechanism for receiving andsecuring an ultrasound transducer cable such that the ultrasound probeis suspended by the cable within the chamber during disinfection.However, the attachment mechanism of existing ultrasound transducer HLDsystems is not suitable for receiving and suspending a wirelessultrasound transducer within the chamber of the ultrasound transducerHLD system.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosureas set forth in the remainder of the present application with referenceto the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An ultrasound probe hanger and method for suspending a wirelessultrasound transducer within a chamber of an ultrasound transducer HLDsystem is provided, substantially as shown in and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentdisclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof,will be more fully understood from the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front, elevation view of an exemplary ultrasoundprobe hanger suspending a wireless ultrasound probe, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side, elevation view of an exemplary ultrasoundprobe hanger suspending a wireless ultrasound probe, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear, elevation view of an exemplary ultrasoundprobe hanger suspending a wireless ultrasound probe, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front, elevation view of an exemplary ultrasoundprobe hanger, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear, perspective view of an exemplary lower hangerportion of an exemplary ultrasound probe hanger, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side, perspective view of an exemplary lower hangerportion of an exemplary ultrasound probe hanger, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom, elevation view of an exemplary lower hangerportion of an exemplary ultrasound probe hanger, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beutilized for suspending a wireless ultrasound transducer in an exemplaryultrasound probe hanger, in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments may be found in a method and system for suspending awireless ultrasound transducer within a chamber of an ultrasoundtransducer HLD system. Aspects of the present disclosure provide thetechnical effect of allowing a wireless ultrasound probe to be suspendedwithin a chamber of an ultrasound transducer HLD system during adisinfection cycle. Various embodiments provide a wireless ultrasoundprobe hanger having minimal contact points with the wireless ultrasoundprobe.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. It should be understood that the variousembodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalityshown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the embodimentsmay be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of thevarious embodiments of the present disclosure. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “arepresentative embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” “variousembodiments,” “certain embodiments,” and the like are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments thatalso incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitlystated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or“having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particularproperty may include additional elements not having that property.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front, elevation view of an exemplary ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 suspending a wireless ultrasound probe 200, inaccordance with various embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates a side,elevation view of an exemplary ultrasound probe hanger 100 suspending awireless ultrasound probe 200, in accordance with various embodiments.FIG. 3 illustrates a rear, elevation view of an exemplary ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 suspending a wireless ultrasound probe 200, inaccordance with various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, anultrasound probe hanger 100 suspending a wireless ultrasound probe 200is shown. The ultrasound probe hanger 100 may comprise a stem 110 and alower hanger portion 120. The stem 110 may comprise a knob 112, an upperstem portion 114, and a lower stem portion 116. The knob 112 may be at adistal end of the stem 110 and may have a diameter (e.g., approximately15 millimeters) that is greater than the diameter of the upper 114 andlower 116 stem portions. The knob 112 may be configured to be positionedabutting or outside the top side of an ultrasound transducer HLD systemadjacent the opening when the hanger 100 is attached within an HLDsystem. For example, the knob 112 may cover an opening in the top sideof the HLD system when the hanger 100 is attached within the HLD system.The upper stem portion 114 may extend from the knob 112 and may have anapproximately ten (10) millimeter diameter of a standard ultrasoundcable. The upper stem portion 114 may be configured to be received at anattachment mechanism of the HLD system that typically attaches to thecable of an ultrasound transducer. The lower stem portion 116 extendsfrom the upper stem portion 114 to a proximal end of the stem 110. Thelower stem portion 116 may be integrated with and/or attached to thelower hanger portion 120 at the proximal end of the stem 110. The lowerstem portion 116 may be a same diameter as the upper stem portion 114, agreater diameter than the upper stem portion 114, or preferably, asmaller diameter than the upper stem portion 114 to minimizeinterference with a disinfection cycle of the HLD system, for example.

The lower hanger portion 120 may comprise shoulders 122, arms 124, and aprobe holder 130. The shoulders 122 may be attached and/or integratedwith the lower stem portion 116 at the proximal end of the stem 110. Theshoulders 122 extend outward from and may be generally perpendicular toa longitudinal axis of the stem 110. In various embodiments, in additionto extending outward in a generally perpendicular direction from thelongitudinal axis of the stem 110, the shoulders 122 may be arched orangled slightly downward (i.e., away) from the stem 110. For example, acentral portion of the shoulders 122 may be attached and/or integratedwith (i.e., connected to) the lower stem portion 116 and may begenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem 110. Outerportions of the shoulders 122 may be arched or angled away from (i.e.,downward from) the stem 110. The outer ends of the shoulder 122 may beattached to and/or integrated with arms 124 that each extend away from(i.e., downward from) the shoulders 122 and stem 110. The longitudinalaxis of each of the arms 124 may be substantially parallel to each otherand to the longitudinal axis of the stem 110. The upper ends of arms 124are attached to and/or integrated with the outer ends of shoulders 122.The lower ends of arms 124 are attached to and/or integrated with theprobe holder 130.

The probe holder 130 of the lower hanger portion 120 of the ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 may be generally-shaped as an open,horizontally-elongated hexagon shape or an open, horizontally-elongatedoval shape having a continuous rear portion connected to (i.e., attachedto and/or integrated with) a partially-open front portion at outer sideportions. Each of the outer side portions of the probe holder 130 areattached to and/or integrated with one of the arms 124. The rear portionof the probe holder 130 extends from one of the outer side portions tothe opposite outer side portion of the probe holder 130. The rearportion may be arched or angled. For example, the rear portion mayinclude a central rear portion and outer rear portions. Each of theouter rear portions may be attached to and/or integrated with the outerside portions and may arch or angle rearward toward the central rearportion. The partially-open front portion may include outer frontportions each attached to and/or integrated with the outer side portionsand each arching or angling frontward toward a central front openportion. The combination of the outer side portions, the rear portion,and the front portion of the probe holder 130 may be generally C-shaped.The probe holder 130 may be configured to receive an upright wirelessultrasound probe 200 manipulated sideways through the central front openportion. The upright wireless ultrasound probe 200 may then be rotated90 degrees within the probe holder 130 and placed on contact points onan inside surface of the probe holder 130, as described in more detailbelow.

The ultrasound probe hanger 100 may be a same material as an ultrasoundprobe body (i.e., housing) or any suitable material. For example, theultrasound probe hanger 100 may be VALOX 357 by SABIC, which is anon-reinforced, impact modified, injection moldable grade resin (i.e.,Polycarbonate/Polybutylene Terephthalate (PC/PBT)). In a representativeembodiment, the ultrasound probe hanger 100 is a single integratedapparatus.

The wireless ultrasound probe 200 may comprise at least one transducerhead 210 and a probe body 220. The at least one transducer head 210 mayinclude, for example, a two dimensional (2D) array of piezoelectricelements. A group of transmit transducer elements and a group of receivetransducer elements that normally constitute the same elements may bedisposed within the at least one transducer head 210 and/or probe body220. In certain embodiment, the ultrasound probe 200 may be operable toacquire ultrasound image data. The ultrasound image data may bewirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound probe 200 to one or moreprocessors of an ultrasound machine. Control signals may be wirelesslytransmitted by the ultrasound machine to the ultrasound probe 200. Theprobe body 220 may be a housing configured to be held by a userperforming an ultrasound scan or otherwise manipulating the ultrasoundprobe 200. The probe body 220 may comprise corner portions 222. Thewireless ultrasound probe 200 may be placed in the probe holder 130 ofthe ultrasound probe hanger 100 for disinfection in an ultrasoundtransducer HLD system after or before use. In various embodiments, onlyfour (4) contact points 132 of the probe holder 130 of the ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 contact the corner portions 222 of the probe body 220of the wireless ultrasound probe 200 to suspend the wireless ultrasoundprobe 200 in the ultrasound transducer HLD system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front, elevation view of an exemplary ultrasoundprobe hanger 100, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 5illustrates a rear, perspective view of an exemplary lower hangerportion 120 of an exemplary ultrasound probe hanger 100, in accordancewith various embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates a side, perspective view ofan exemplary lower hanger portion 120 of an exemplary ultrasound probehanger 100, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates abottom, elevation view of an exemplary lower hanger portion 120 of anexemplary ultrasound probe hanger 100, in accordance with variousembodiments. Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the ultrasound probe hanger 100 maycomprise a stem 110 and a lower hanger portion 120. The stem 110 maycomprise a knob 112, an upper stem portion 114, and a lower stem portion116. The stem 110 may be approximately 16 centimeters (e.g., 14-18centimeters) long. The knob 112 may be at a distal end of the stem 110and may have a diameter (e.g., 1.2-2.0 centimeters) that is greater thanthe diameter of the upper 114 (e.g., 0.8-1.2 centimeters) and lower 116(e.g., 0.8-1.2 centimeters) stem portions. The upper stem portion 114may extend from the knob 112 and may be approximately 10 centimeters(e.g., 8-12 centimeters) long. The lower stem portion 116 extends fromthe upper stem portion 114 to a proximal end of the stem 110. The lowerstem portion 116 may be integrated with and/or attached to the lowerhanger portion 120 at the proximal end of the stem 110. The lower stemportion 116 may be approximately 6 centimeters (e.g., 4-8 centimeters)long.

The lower hanger portion 120 may comprise shoulders 122, arms 124, and aprobe holder 130. The shoulders 122 may be attached and/or integratedwith the lower stem portion 116 at the proximal end of the stem 110. Theshoulders 122 extend outward from and may be generally perpendicular toa longitudinal axis of the stem 110. In certain embodiments, theshoulders may be arched and/or include portions that angle downward fromthe stem 110. The shoulders may be approximately 9 centimeters (e.g.,8-10 centimeters) wide with the an equal distance of approximately 4.5centimeters (e.g., 4-5 centimeters) from a center of the stem 110 at theconnection to the shoulders 122 to the outer ends of the shoulders 122.The outer ends of the shoulder 122 may be attached to and/or integratedwith arms 124 that each extend downward (i.e., away) from the shoulders122 and stem 110. The longitudinal axis of each of the arms 124 may besubstantially parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of thestem 110. The upper ends of arms 124 are attached to and/or integratedwith the outer ends of shoulders 122. The lower ends of arms 124 areattached to and/or integrated with the probe holder 130. The arms 124may extend approximately 6.5 centimeters (e.g., 5-8 centimeters)downward from the outer ends of the shoulders 122.

The probe holder 130 of the lower hanger portion 120 of the ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 may be generally C-shaped with each of the arms 124connected (i.e., integrated with and/or attached to) the top and bottomportions (i.e., the outer side portions of the probe holder 130) of theC-shape. The front portion of the generally C-shaped probe holder 130includes the opening. The rear portion of the generally C-shaped probeholder 130 is continuous between the outer side portions of the probeholder 130. An inside surface of the generally C-shaped probe holder 130may include four (4) protrusions 132 configured to contact and securelyhold an ultrasound probe 200. The protrusions 132 may be ballprotrusions or any suitable protrusion that provides a dot contact, asopposed to a line contact, with corner portions 222 of a wirelessultrasound probe body 220. The protrusions 132 are arranged in arectangle on an inside surface of the probe holder 130. For example, theprotrusions 132 may be positioned to extend from an inside surface ofouter rear portions of the rear portion of the probe holder 130 and froman inside surface of outer front portions of the front portion of theprobe holder 130, adjacent the central front open portion of the probeholder 130. The probe holder 130 may be configured to receive an uprightwireless ultrasound probe 200 manipulated sideways through the centralfront open portion. The upright wireless ultrasound probe 200 may thenbe rotated 90 degrees within the probe holder 130 and securely placed onprotrusions 132 on the inside surface of the probe holder 130.

The width of the shoulder 122, arm 124, and probe holder 130 pieces maybe approximately 1.5 centimeters (e.g., 1-2 centimeters) and a thicknessof the shoulder 122, arm, 124, and probe holder 130 pieces may beapproximately 0.3 centimeters (0.1-0.5 centimeters). The ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 may be a same material as an ultrasound probe body(e.g., VALOX 357 by SABIC) or any suitable material. The ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 may be disposable after each user. In a preferredembodiment, the ultrasound probe hanger 100 may be reusable for at least1000 disinfection cycles of an HLD system prior to replacement.

The ultrasound probe hanger 100 illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 shares variouscharacteristics with the ultrasound probe hanger 100 illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 as described above.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram 300 illustrating exemplary steps 302-308 thatmay be utilized for suspending a wireless ultrasound transducer 200 inan exemplary ultrasound probe hanger 100, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments. Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a flow diagram 300comprising exemplary steps 302 through 308.

At step 302, an ultrasound probe hanger 100 may be held upright by auser and/or inserted in into an ultrasound transducer HLD system bycoupling an upper stem portion 114 of a stem 110 of the hanger 100 to anattachment mechanism of the HLD system. In various embodiments, theultrasound probe hanger 100 may be inserted into the HLD system afterthe wireless ultrasound probe 200 is secured within the probe holder 130of the ultrasound probe hanger 100 at step 306.

At step 304, a wireless ultrasound probe 200 that is positioned uprightand oriented substantially sideways may be moved into a probe holder 130of the ultrasound probe hanger 100 through a central front open portionof the probe holder 130 and rotated approximately 90 degrees (i.e.,60-120 degrees) in either lateral direction within the probe holder 130.

At step 306, the wireless ultrasound probe 200 is secured againstprotrusions 132 on an inside surface of the probe holder 130 of theultrasound probe hanger 100. For example, after rotating the probe 200within the probe holder at step 304, the wireless ultrasound probe 200may be lowered to securely rest on the protrusions 132 of the probeholder 130. The protrusions 132 may be four (4) contact points arrangedin a rectangle that provide a dot contact with corner portions 222 ofthe probe body 220 of the wireless ultrasound probe 200. The fourprotrusion dot contacts with the wireless ultrasound probe 200 minimizean amount of contact with the ultrasound probe 200 to maximize thesurface area of the ultrasound probe 200 that can be disinfected. Theminimum contact of the ultrasound probe hanger 100 with the wirelessultrasound probe 200 may allow the wireless ultrasound probe 200 to beeffectively disinfected in one cleaning cycle of the HLD system. If theultrasound probe hanger 100 was inserted into the HLD system at step302, the HLD system may be operated to disinfect the wireless ultrasoundprobe 200 at step 306. If the ultrasound probe hanger 100 has not yetbeen inserted into the HLD system, the ultrasound probe hanger 100securely holding the wireless ultrasound probe 200 may be inserted intothe HLD system by coupling the upper stem portion 114 of the stem 110 ofthe hanger 100 to an attachment mechanism of the HLD system prior toperforming a disinfection cycle.

At step 308, the disinfected wireless ultrasound probe 200 may beremoved from the ultrasound probe hanger 100 after the cleaning cycle isperformed by the HLD system. For example, the wireless ultrasound probe200 may be lifted off the protrusions 132 on the inside surface of theprobe holder 130 and rotated approximately 90 degrees (i.e., 60-120degrees) in either lateral direction within the probe holder 130. Thewireless ultrasound probe 200 in the rotated (i.e., substantiallysideways) orientation may be moved through the central front openportion of the probe holder 130 to remove the wireless ultrasound probe200 from the ultrasound probe hanger 100 leaving the empty ultrasoundprobe hanger of step 302. The disinfected wireless ultrasound probe 200is then ready for use and the empty ultrasound probe hanger 100 is readyto receive a wireless ultrasound probe 200 for disinfection in the HLDsystem.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide an ultrasound probe hanger 100operable to suspend a wireless ultrasound transducer 200 in a chamber ofan ultrasound transducer high-level disinfection (HLD) system during adisinfection cycle. The ultrasound probe hanger 100 may comprise a stem110, shoulders 122, arms 124, and a probe holder 130. The stem 110 mayhave a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis. Theshoulders 122 may be arranged generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the stem 110. The shoulders 122 may comprise acentral shoulder portion and outer shoulder portions. Each of the outershoulder portions may have an outer shoulder end. The central shoulderportion may be connected to proximal end of the stem 110. The arms 124may be arranged generally parallel to each other and to the longitudinalaxis of the stem 110. Each of the arms 124 may have an upper end and alower end. The upper end of each of the arms 124 may be connected to theouter shoulder end of a different one of the outer shoulder portions ofthe shoulders 122. The probe holder 130 may comprise outer sideportions, a rear portion, a partially-open front portion, and four (4)protrusions 132. Each of the outer side portions may be connected to thelower end of a different one of the arms 124. The rear portion maycomprise outer rear portions and a central rear portion. The rearportion may extend between and connect the outer side portions. Thepartially-open front portion may comprise outer front portions and acentral front open portion. The outer front portions may each extendfrom a different one of the outer side portions to the central frontopen portion. The four (4) protrusions 132 may be arranged in arectangle on an inside surface of the outer rear portions and outerfront portions. The four protrusions 132 may be configured to contactcorner portions 222 of a wireless ultrasound probe 200 to securelysuspend the wireless ultrasound probe 200 within the probe holder 130.

In a representative embodiment, the stem 110 may comprise a knob 112 atthe distal end, a lower stem portion 116 at the proximal end, and anupper stem portion 114 extending between the knob 112 and the lower stemportion 116. A knob diameter may be greater than an upper stem portiondiameter and a lower stem portion diameter. In an exemplary embodiment,the upper stem portion diameter is approximately 10 millimeters. Invarious embodiments, the lower stem portion diameter is less than theupper stem portion diameter. In certain embodiments, the outer shoulderportions are one or more of arched or angled away from stem 110. In arepresentative embodiment, the arms 124 extend from the outer shoulderends in a direction away from the stem 110. In an exemplary embodiment,the probe holder 130 is generally shaped as one or more of an open,horizontally-elongated hexagon shape, or an open, horizontally-elongatedoval shape. In various embodiments, the probe holder 130 is generallyC-shaped. In certain embodiments, the four protrusions 132 are ballprotrusions. In certain embodiments, each of the four protrusions 132 isconfigured to provide a dot contact with a different corner portion 222of the wireless ultrasound probe 200. In a representative embodiment,each of the four protrusions 132 provide a corner of the rectangle. Afirst of the four protrusions 132 is positioned on an inside surface ofa first outer rear portion of the rear portion. A second of the fourprotrusions 132 is positioned on an inside surface of a second outerrear portion of the rear portion on an opposite side of the central rearportion. A third of the four protrusions 132 is positioned on an insidesurface of a first outer front portion of the partially-open frontportion across from the first outer rear portion. A fourth of the fourprotrusions 132 is positioned on an inside surface of a second outerfront portion of the partially-open front portion across from the secondouter rear portion and on an opposite side of the central front openportion from the first outer front portion. In an exemplary embodiment,the ultrasound probe hanger 100 is a single, integrated apparatus. Incertain embodiments, the ultrasound probe hanger 100 is VALOX 357.

Various embodiments provide a method 300 for suspending a wirelessultrasound probe 200 in an ultrasound probe hanger 100. The method 300may comprise moving 304 the wireless ultrasound probe 200 positionedupright and rotated sideways through a central front open portion of aprobe holder 130 of the ultrasound probe hanger 100. The wirelessultrasound probe 200 may comprise at least one transducer head 210 and aprobe body 220. The probe body 220 may comprise corner portions 222. Theultrasound probe hanger 100 may comprise a stem 110 having a distal end,a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis. The ultrasound probe hanger 100may comprise shoulders 122 arranged generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the stem 110. The shoulders 122 may comprise acentral shoulder portion and outer shoulder portions. Each of the outershoulder portions may have an outer shoulder end. The central shoulderportion may be connected to proximal end of the stem 110. The ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 may comprise arms 124 arranged generally parallel toeach other and to the longitudinal axis of the stem 110. Each of thearms 124 may have an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of each ofthe arms 124 may be connected to the outer shoulder end of a differentone of the outer shoulder portions of the shoulders 122. The ultrasoundprobe hanger 100 may comprise the probe holder 130. The probe holder 130may comprise outer side portions, a rear portion, a partially-open frontportion, and four (4) protrusions 132. Each of the outer side portionsmay be connected to the lower end of a different one of the arms 124.The rear portion may comprise outer rear portions and a central rearportion. The rear portion may extend between and connect the outer sideportions. The partially-open front portion may comprise outer frontportions and the central front open portion. The outer front portionsmay each extend from a different one of the outer side portions to thecentral front open portion. The four (4) protrusions 132 may be arrangedin a rectangle on an inside surface of the outer rear portions of therear portion and the outer front portions of the partially-open frontportion. The method 300 may comprise rotating 304 the wirelessultrasound probe 200 approximately ninety (90) degrees within the probeholder 130. The method 300 may comprise placing 306 the corner portions222 of the probe body 220 of the wireless ultrasound probe 200 on thefour protrusions 132 of the probe holder 130 to securely suspend thewireless ultrasound probe 200 within the probe holder 130.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upright positioning of the wirelessultrasound probe 200 is with the at least one transducer head 210 facingupward. In various embodiments, the stem 110 comprises a knob 112 at thedistal end, a lower stem portion 116 at the proximal end, and an upperstem portion 114 extending between the knob 112 and the lower stemportion 116. In certain embodiments, the method 300 further comprisescoupling 302, 306 the upper stem portion 114 of the stem 110 of theultrasound probe hanger 100 to an attachment mechanism of an ultrasoundtransducer high-level disinfection (HLD) system. The method 300 mayfurther comprise performing 306 a disinfection cycle of the HLD systemwith the wireless ultrasound probe 200 suspended in the ultrasound probehanger 100 in a cavity of the HLD system. In a representativeembodiment, the method 300 may further comprise removing 308, 302 thewireless ultrasound probe 200 from the ultrasound probe hanger 100 bylifting 308 the wireless ultrasound probe 200 off the four protrusions132 of the probe holder 130, rotating 308 the wireless ultrasound probe200 approximately ninety (90) degrees within the probe holder 130, andmoving 308 the wireless ultrasound probe 200 out of the probe holder 130of the ultrasound probe hanger 100 through the central front openportion of the probe holder 130. In an exemplary embodiment, the probeholder 130 is one or more of an open, horizontally-elongated hexagonshape; an open, horizontally-elongated oval shape; or, generallyC-shaped. In various embodiments, the ultrasound probe hanger 100 is asame material as the probe body 220 of the wireless ultrasound probe200.

As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in thelist joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any elementof the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y,and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary”means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists ofone or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. Asutilized herein, a component is “operable” or “configured” to perform afunction whenever the component comprises the necessary structure toperform the function, regardless of whether performance of the functionis disabled, or not enabled, by some user-configurable setting.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tocertain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition,many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation ormaterial to the teachings of the present disclosure without departingfrom its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosurenot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that thepresent disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasound probe hanger comprising: a stemhaving a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis; shouldersarranged generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem,the shoulders comprising a central shoulder portion and outer shoulderportions, each of the outer shoulder portions having an outer shoulderend, the central shoulder portion connected to proximal end of the stem;arms arranged generally parallel to each other and to the longitudinalaxis of the stem, each of the arms having an upper end and a lower end,the upper end of each of the arms connected to the outer shoulder end ofa different one of the outer shoulder portions of the shoulders; and aprobe holder comprising: outer side portions, each of the outer sideportions connected to the lower end of a different one of the arms, arear portion comprising outer rear portions and a central rear portion,the rear portion extending between and connecting the outer sideportions, a partially-open front portion comprising outer front portionsand a central front open portion, the outer front portions eachextending from a different one of the outer side portions to the centralfront open portion, and four protrusions arranged in a rectangle on aninside surface of the outer rear portions and outer front portions, thefour protrusions configured to contact corner portions of a wirelessultrasound probe to securely suspend the wireless ultrasound probewithin the probe holder.
 2. The ultrasound probe hanger of claim 1,wherein the stem comprises a knob at the distal end, a lower stemportion at the proximal end, and an upper stem portion extending betweenthe knob and the lower stem portion, wherein a knob diameter is greaterthan an upper stem portion diameter and a lower stem portion diameter.3. The ultrasound probe hanger of claim 2, wherein the upper stemportion diameter is approximately 10 millimeters.
 4. The ultrasoundprobe hanger of claim 2, wherein the lower stem portion diameter is lessthan the upper stem portion diameter.
 5. The ultrasound probe hanger ofclaim 1, wherein the outer shoulder portions are one or more of archedor angled away from stem.
 6. The ultrasound probe hanger of claim 1,wherein the arms extend from the outer shoulder ends in a direction awayfrom the stem.
 7. The ultrasound probe hanger of claim 1, wherein theprobe holder is generally shaped as one or more of: an open,horizontally-elongated hexagon shape, or an open, horizontally-elongatedoval shape.
 8. The ultrasound probe hanger of claim 1, wherein the probeholder is generally C-shaped.
 9. The ultrasound probe hanger of claim 1,wherein the four protrusions are ball protrusions.
 10. The ultrasoundprobe hanger of claim 1, wherein each of the four protrusions isconfigured to provide a dot contact with a different corner portion ofthe wireless ultrasound probe.
 11. The ultrasound probe hanger of claim1, wherein each of the four protrusions provide a corner of therectangle, and wherein: a first of the four protrusions is positioned onan inside surface of a first outer rear portion of the rear portion, asecond of the four protrusions is positioned on an inside surface of asecond outer rear portion of the rear portion on an opposite side of thecentral rear portion, a third of the four protrusions is positioned onan inside surface of a first outer front portion of the partially-openfront portion across from the first outer rear portion, and a fourth ofthe four protrusions is positioned on an inside surface of a secondouter front portion of the partially-open front portion across from thesecond outer rear portion and on an opposite side of the central frontopen portion from the first outer front portion.
 12. The ultrasoundprobe hanger of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound probe hanger is asingle, integrated apparatus.
 13. The ultrasound probe hanger of claim1, wherein the ultrasound probe hanger is VALOX
 357. 14. A method forsuspending a wireless ultrasound probe in an ultrasound probe hanger,the method comprising: moving the wireless ultrasound probe positionedupright and rotated sideways through a central front open portion of aprobe holder of the ultrasound probe hanger, wherein the wirelessultrasound probe comprises at least one transducer head and a probebody, the probe body comprising corner portions, and wherein theultrasound probe hanger comprises: a stem having a distal end, aproximal end, and a longitudinal axis; shoulders arranged generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem, the shoulderscomprising a central shoulder portion and outer shoulder portions, eachof the outer shoulder portions having an outer shoulder end, the centralshoulder portion connected to proximal end of the stem; arms arrangedgenerally parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of thestem, each of the arms having an upper end and a lower end, the upperend of each of the arms connected to the outer shoulder end of adifferent one of the outer shoulder portions of the shoulders; and theprobe holder comprising: outer side portions, each of the outer sideportions connected to the lower end of a different one of the arms, arear portion comprising outer rear portions and a central rear portion,the rear portion extending between and connecting the outer sideportions, a partially-open front portion comprising outer front portionsand the central front open portion, the outer front portions eachextending from a different one of the outer side portions to the centralfront open portion, and four protrusions arranged in a rectangle on aninside surface of the outer rear portions of the rear portion and theouter front portions of the partially-open front portion; rotating thewireless ultrasound probe approximately ninety (90) degrees within theprobe holder; and placing the corner portions of the probe body of thewireless ultrasound probe on the four protrusions of the probe holder tosecurely suspend the wireless ultrasound probe within the probe holder.15. The method of claim 11, wherein the upright positioning of thewireless ultrasound probe is with the at least one transducer headfacing upward.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the stem comprises aknob at the distal end, a lower stem portion at the proximal end, and anupper stem portion extending between the knob and the lower stemportion.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: coupling theupper stem portion of the stem of the ultrasound probe hanger to anattachment mechanism of an ultrasound transducer high-level disinfection(HLD) system; and performing a disinfection cycle of the HLD system withthe wireless ultrasound probe suspended in the ultrasound probe hangerin a cavity of the HLD system.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising removing the wireless ultrasound probe from the ultrasoundprobe hanger by: lifting the wireless ultrasound probe off the fourprotrusions of the probe holder; rotating the wireless ultrasound probeapproximately ninety (90) degrees within the probe holder; and movingthe wireless ultrasound probe out of the probe holder of the ultrasoundprobe hanger through the central front open portion of the probe holder.19. The method of claim 11, wherein the probe holder is one or more of:an open, horizontally-elongated hexagon shape, an open,horizontally-elongated oval shape, or generally C-shaped.
 20. The methodof claim 11, wherein the ultrasound probe hanger is a same material asthe probe body of the wireless ultrasound probe.